Barley & Me

Host Ben Rice travels to San Diego, CA, to attend Karl Strauss's Collabapalooza 2019, voted the best beer fest in West Coaster Magazine. This episode contains 2 mini-interviews and episode 116 will feature 3 more, recorded at Collabapalooza! In segment one, Ben talks to Doug Constantiner of Societe Brewing and Jeff Wiederkehr of Burning Beard Brewing. We talk friendship, collaboration, education, and tin foil hats, plus the inevitability of the band Tool. In segment 2, Ben sits down with Joe Kurowski of White Labs, Paul Heaverly of Melvin Brewing, and Anthony Beach of Latchkey Brewing. We talk about the White Labs/Latchkey collab Pigtail IPA and the surprising story of its name (what a twist!), plus the underappreciation of yeast's effects on beer taste, camaraderie in the beer industry, and a prescient conversation about the Ballast Point buyout. And Anthony asks probably the most important question in craft beer, "In reality, what's the liquids?" All this and more, on episode 115 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod or on our new website, www.barleyandmepod.com
Learn more about today's breweries by checking out their websites:
www.societebrewing.com (@societebrewing)
www.burningbeardbrewing.com (@beardofflame)
www.whitelabs.com (@whitelabsyeast @whitelabstastingroom)
www.melvinbrewing.com @melvinbrewing @melvinbrewing_sandiego)
www.latchkeybrew.com (@latchkeybrewing)
Thank you to Karl Strauss Brewing and Rad Craft Beer for the invite and opportunity. Thank you to Jay Jones of Thorn Brewing for helping connect me with brewers on-site at Collabapalooza.
As a reminder, you can now buy Barley & Me t-shirts at www.zen-threads.com
This episode is brought to you by:
-The Art of Beer, happening on January 24, 2020 at the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento, CA. Barley & Me listeners can get 10% off tickets by using promo code Barley10 Just go to www.artofbeerinvitational.com for tickets.
-"Drink Better Beer" by Joshua Bernstein, available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and www.joshuambernstein.com. Makes a great gift for any beer lover this holiday season!
-Comedy Night at Crooked Lane! The next show is Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, CA. Tickets are $10 and are available on eventbrite.com, at the brewery (536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA), or by phone at (530) 878-5232. This month's headliner, Billy Anderson, can be seen on AmazonPrime or heard about in an anti-marijuana rant by Joe Biden.
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously, to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Supplemental Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Auburn, CA's Crooked Lane Brewing to sit down with brewmaster Teresa Psuty, plus Queen of Beer Competition coordinators Melissa McCann, Rebecca Steele-Wilkie, and Vickie Olson, to discuss the upcoming 26th annual Queen of Beer homebrewing competition, as well as Crooked Lane's humble beginnings to their current status as California's Craft Brewery of the Year. The Queen of Beer crew lays out their history, including their early adoption of the HAZE craze, plus their ever-expanding supporters and sponsors, new prizes/awards (including for first-time submitters and the champion earning a brew day with Drake's Brewing!), and their collection of world-class beer judges to help female brewers get the feedback they need to become professionals. They have even expanded their entry date to December 6, 2019, so, if you're a female-identifying homebrewer in the US, you can enter for just $10 at www.queenofbeer.beer. The competition is December 12 at Fort Rock Brewing. Get all this info and more, on the latest episode of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
You can find out everything you need to know about Queen of Beer at www.queenofbeer.beer of by following them on social media! IG: @queenofbeercomp FB @queenofbeercompetition
Follow Crooked Lane @crookedlanebrewingco and check out Teresa on Brewing Network's The Session!
You can follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod
You can now buy Barley & Me t-shirts at www.zen-threads.com
This episode was brought to you by:
-The Art of Beer, taking place at the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento on January 24, 2020. Tickets are available at www.artofbeerinvitational.com - Barley & Me listeners can get $5 off their tickets by using promo code Barley5
-"Drink Better Beer" by Joshua Bernstein, available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and www.joshuambernstein.com. Makes a great gift for any beer lover this holiday season!
-And by Comedy Night at Crooked Lane, returning Thursday, November 21, 2019, to Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, CA and continuing every 3rd Thursday through March 2020. Enjoy performances from AmazonPrime, Netflix, Disney, late night talk shows, and more, for just $10. Tickets are limited, so get them soon! Available on EventBrite.com or at the brewery (536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA) or by phone at (530) 878-5232.
 
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously, to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to sit down with Porchlight Brewing's brewer John Prather, plus the Vice Chair of the Sacramento Arts Commission, Maya Wallace. We discuss everyone's history with Sacramento, plus their observations on the city's growth economically, socially, artistically, and beer-centrically, and how all of those intertwine. Plus! The housing crisis! The hidden morality of beer regulations! Bill Buckner and the 1986 Red Sox! And how the internet has changed our ability to measure popularity. We also break down Belgian vs German brewing methods, fix the broken beer festival model, and solve palate fatigue. All this and more, on episode 113 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Follow Porchlight Brewing @porchlightbrewingco
Find out more about all of Maya Wallace's projects and interests by following her on Instagram @sactomaya
Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod and check out the brand-new still-in-progress website www.barleyandmepod.com
You can buy Barley & Me t-shirts at www.zen-threads.com
Don't forget to check out that sweet, sweet beer dinner at Sac City Brews on November 16 and, if you're interested, there are currently positions open at the Sacramento Arts Commission!
This episode is brought to you by:
-The Art of Beer, taking place at the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento on January 24, 2020. Tickets are available at www.artofbeerinvitational.com. Use the promo code "Barley5" to get $5 off tickets!
-"Drink Better Beer" by Joshua Bernstein, available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and www.joshuambernstein.com. Makes a great gift for any beer lover this holiday season!
-And by Comedy Night at Crooked Lane, returning Thursday, November 21, 2019, to Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, CA and continuing every 3rd Thursday through March 2020. Enjoy performances from AmazonPrime, Netflix, Disney, late night talk shows, and more, for just $10. Tickets are limited, so get them soon! Available on EventBrite.com or at the brewery (536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA) or by phone at (530) 878-5232.
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to San Diego, CA, to Karl Strauss Brewing's Pacific Beach location to sit down with Karl Strauss Brewing's brewmaster of research & development Paul Segura and Thorn Brewing's head brewer Doug Pominville Jr. and tasting room manager Jay Jones. We talk Collabapalooza 2019, their collab Countess Sparkula (a breakfast pastry stout made with Count Chocula and edible sparkles), the history and progression of San Diego craft beer, and the invention of Collabapalooza! Plus! Ben forgets recent craft beer regulations and history, the excitement of Kveik yeasts (plural? Plural!), the learning curve in transitioning from home brewing to professional brewing, craft lager growth, proper show design for safe shower beer enjoyment, and we break the code of silence on how collaboration beers are made. All this and more, on episode 112 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
I would like to give a big thank you to Emily Hutto, Chea Franz, and the entire Rad Craft Beer crew for making this episode possible. Find out more about Rad Craft Beer by following them @radcraftbeer
You can keep an eye out for info on Collabapalooza 2020, new beers, and old trustworthies from Karl Strauss Brewing by following them @karlstraussbeer
You can follow Thorn Brewing and their ever-expanding roster of taprooms and taps at @thornbeer
You can follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod
This episode was brought to you by the Art of Beer, taking place at the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento on January 24, 2020. Tickets are available at www.artofbeerinvitational.com - Barley & Me listeners can get $5 off their tickets by using promo code Barley5
This episode is also brought to you by Comedy Night at Crooked Lane, returning to Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, CA, for the fourth year on Thursday, November 21st and every 3rd Thursday until March. Comedy Night at Crooked Lane brings you tomorrow's comedy stars today, with past guests appearing on HBO, Netflix, AmazonPrime, late night talk shows, and more. This year is no different, as we welcome headliners Ellis Rodriguez (San Diego Comedy Competition winner, San Francisco International Comedy Competition champion), Billy Anderson (AmazonPrime, Dry Bar Comedy, Sirius XM), Caitlin Weierhauser (past winner of Portland's Funniest Person, Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, AmazonPrime's "The Benefits of Gusbandry"), Chelsea Bearce (New York's Gotham Comedy Club, Punch Line Sacramento & San Francisco, Cobb's Comedy Club), and Anthony K (finalist at Big Sky Comedy Festival, multiple finalist at San Francisco International Comedy Competition, back by popular demand). Tickets are $10 and are available on EventBrite or at Crooked Lane Brewing. Give them a call at (530) 878-5232 or pay them a visit at 536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA.
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously, to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice sits down with Andy Klein, owner and brewmaster at Monk's Cellar in Roseville, CA, as well as brewer Bryan Crass and sales rep Lewis McGeorge, to talk about their upcoming 5th anniversary (Friday, October 18/Saturday, October 19), including their collaboration beers with over TWENTY breweries. Once of those is Huntington Beach's Beachwood Brewing, and their owner/brewmaster Julian Shrago was kind enough to make an appearance. Together, Julian and Andy walk down memory lane, from trips to Europe to the Great IBU Wars of the early 2010s. Julian also breaks down his scientific study of Cantillon and how to use that information to impart proper sour/funk to your beers. Plus! The importance of yeast! Someone at this table loves pumpkin beers! And Julian has Bryan's latest creation, Pie Curious, for the first time ever. All this and so much more, on episode 111 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Be sure to check out Monk's Cellar's fantastic lineup of events this week, and follow them on social media @themonkscellar
Thank you to ulian Shrago for taking the time to appear on this episode. You can follow Beachwood Brewing @beachwoodbrewing
You can follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, to [email protected] or [email protected]
This episode has been brought to you by Karl Strauss's Collabapalooza, occuring October 19 in San Diego. Get tickets at www.karlstrauss.com
Do you have a story about racism/sexism/homophobia/transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Davis, CA to talk to Sudwerk Brewing's co-owners Trent Yaczan and Ryan Fry, plus Davis-based comedian Bex Nava, about Sudwerk's upcoming 30th anniversary (the celebration is Saturday, October 26)! We discuss the transition from original ownership to their grandsons, maintaining your core identity while also keeping up with current craft beer trends, how to open and maintain a creativity-based business, and the importance of community collaboration and involvement. Plus! Sudwerk's efforts to be the "Sierra Nevada of Lagers" in their business practices and constant innovation, such as their line of Hazy IPLs. And! We break down Bex's possible venue names and styles, handling fair competition judging for the arts, and did we mention Sudwerk is turning 30? All this and more, on episode 110 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Find out more about Sudwerk's history, upcoming releases, and their anniversary events by checking out www.sudwerkbrew.com or across social media @sudwerkbrew
Contact Bex Nava about her upcoming performance space (donations, planning, etc.) by finding her on Facebook or by following her on Instagram @djnamegenerator
You can contact Ben Rice with questions, comments, concerns, or guest/brewery ideas at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @barleyandmepod
This episode is brought to you by the 3rd annual Collabapalooza, taking place on Saturday, October 19, in San Diego. Find out more or get tickets at www.karlstrauss.com
Do you have a story about racism/sexism/homophobia/transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ57
And if you're interested in comedy shows produced by host Ben Rice, you can check out Cutthroat Comedy: Championship Edition at Husick's Taphouse on Wednesday, October 2 at 7pm for just $5 or the debut of SacYardigans at SacYard Community Taphouse on Wednesday, October 9 at 8pm. I hope to see you there!
Intro: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA's Oak Park community to talk to brewer Geoff Scott of Oak Park Brewing Company and PR/marketing consultant Shane Barker. We talk about the re-invigoration of Oak Park, as well as the grand re-opening/reimagining of Oak Park Brewing Company, which has new ownership, new brewers, new chefs, but is trying to maintain and build on its ties to the Oak Park community. We talk food, community, the changing beer marketing scene, America's litigiousness (literally the American government's litigiousness in one case), the homlessness epidemic, and we try to determine what reality really is. Plus! We try to find out if Ben's girlfriend is a bully, if malt liquor has a place in craft beer, what makes for a good beard, and if the earth is flat. Really. All this and much more, on episode 109 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Find out more about events, food, and beer at Oak Park Brewing by following them on social media @opbrewco
Get info on marketing, PR, and more from www.shanebarker.com or by following Shane on social media: Twitter @shane_barker, IG @shanebarker. Want in on his real estate business? Check out www.randsrei.com.
Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, to [email protected] or [email protected]
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, and/or homophobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously to be read on a future episode of the show at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ57
This episode was brought to you by the Creative Women Mini-Con, taking place Saturday, September 28, at Empire's Comics Vault, 1120 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA. Get more info at www.empirescomics.com!
This episode is also brought to you by a smorgasbord of comedy shows that host Ben Rice produces. Quick list: Tilted Mashterpiece Theatre at Tilted Mash Brewing in Elk Grove, every 4th Thursday at 7:30. The next show, Sept 26, is the TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the show, starring past guest Alfonso Portela. Plus! Cutthroat Comedy at Husick's Taphouse in Clarksburg every 1st Wednesday at 7pm. The next show is a CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION, featuring only past winners, on October 2. On October 9 at 8pm will be the debut of SacYardigans at SacYard Community Taphouse, with headliner Dejan Tyler.
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to SacYard Community Taphouse to meet with San Diego's original craft brewery Karl Strauss, via their Northern California sales reps Peter August & Jeff Broaddus, as well as beer marketer Emily Hutto of Rad Craft Beer. We chat about Karl Strauss Brewing's history in America's craft beer scene, how they've stayed relevent and even managed to expand their brand, as well as their slew of recent collabs, including the New California IPA brewed with the legendary Russian River Brewing. Emily tells us how she got her start in PR/marketing/brand management through a career in journalism and the importance of building a network. We delve into adorable pets (please see the Barley & Me Instagram for proof), re-connecting with old friends through beer, and the actual Karl Strauss's many exploits, including but not limited to his dabbling in a macro beer you might know and love. All this and more, on episode 108 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Check out the New California IPA wherever fine independent California craft beers are sold.
Follow Karl Strauss to see what they have planned for their upcoming collaborations and their dreams for their second 30 years in the business @karlstraussbeer
Interested in learning more about Rad Craft Beer? It's as easy as popping on Instagram and following @radcraftbeer
And don't forget to follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepod (pics of all the adorable animals mentioned in this episode can be found there NOW in quite possibly the world's first podcast and pets pairing)
Thanks to SacYard Community Tap House (@sacyard.beer) for hosting us! Truly a wonderful spot to gather, as evidenced by the numerous pauses to talk to people we adore.
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas to [email protected] or [email protected]
Have a story about racism, sexism, and/or homophobia while working in/trying to enter the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ57
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Additional Music: "Functional Alcoholism (Barley & Me Theme)" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to speak with Urban Roots Brewing's Peter Hoey (brewer/owner) and Rob Archie (owner) and host of the Letter Talk Podcast Alyssa Cowan. We tackle the tough topics, like time management, adapting your business plan to your intended audience, learning from failures, and the mystery of Dippin' Dots. Plus! Which type of wrestling is real and which is fake, Rob's astonishing lost and found moment, Netflix obsessions, and international tales of mystery. All this and more, on episode 107 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Follow Urban Roots, its ever-expanding taplist, and its Sunday movie list @urbanrootsbeer
Check out Letter Talk Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and follow Alyssa Cowan across social media @alyssapants
You can also follow host Ben Rice and Barley & Me @barleyandmepod
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, etc., to [email protected] or [email protected]
Have a story about racism, sexism, and/or homophobia while working in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously to be read on a future episode at https://goo.gl/forms/i5aR6ipMUgVzO6Ll1
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave, Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)

Host Ben Rice travels to Half Moon Bay, CA, to speak with Hop Dogma's owner and head brewer Dan Littlefield during their monthly Comedy Sharks comedy show, along with performing comedians Alex Love, Krista Fatka, and Phil Griffiths. We talk Hop Dogma's rocky transition to their new location, how Dan is leaving an impact on the world, running a proper bar show, a little bit of social commentary and historical facts, and why gluten-free beers can be a pain. Plus! Smoked lagers, the best coffee stout in America, quirky beer licensing restrictions, and manual labor near-catastrophes. All this and more, on episode 106 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Find out more about Hop Dogma and their beers and goings-ons, including Comedy Sharks (every 2nd Thursday and last Friday) at www.hopdogma.com or on Instagram @hopdogma. If you have the time, be sure to swing by and grab a pint of their new Ales for ALS release. $1 for every pint goes to ALS research.
Follow Alex Love on Instagram @rialoveftw
Check out Krista Fatka @kristafatka
Peruse the portfolio of Phil Griffiths @philgriffiths
And don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, rate/review Barley & Me wherever you get your podcasts or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @barleyandmepod
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, etc., to [email protected] or [email protected]
This episode is brought to you by JoAnn Schinderle's debut comedy album, Dark Jeans, from Comedy Dynamics. Find it wherever you get your downloads: iTunes, GooglePlay, Pandora, Spotify, etc. It's already hit #1 on the iTunes Comedy charts and a portion of proceed from album and ticket sales goes to help fund feminine hygiene products for homeless women. Check out the album at orcd.co/darkjeansjoannschinderle or find her upcoming shows by following JoAnn @joannlizabeth on Instragram or by visiting her website www.joannschinderle.com.
If you're in the Los Angeles area, her official CD release show is Tuesday, August 6, at Comedy Central Stage at 8pm. It's free and features brand-new winner of Portland's Funniest Person Adam Pasi, plus Dom Gelin, Will Miles and Becky Robinson.
Also, we are still accepting anonymous submissions about racism, sexism, and homophobia in the beer industry via https://goo.gl/forms/i5aR6ipMUgVzO6LI1
Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)